About - Pennal & Cwrt

Although small in size, Pennal has an amazing diversity of stone buildings, ranging from its rows of small cottages to the grand frontage of its Chapels. The village is built around the course of the Afon Sychan which flows into the River Dyfi a little way behind the Riverside Hotel and is located in the Dyfi Biosphere

A lovely walk from the gate behind the Hotel, opposite the school, takes you along the riverside to open fields where it joins the Dyfi. The views from the fields are beautiful and offer a panoramic vista up to Machynlleth and down toward Dyfi Junction.

In recent years Otters have returned to the river here and can be seen ‘playing’ in the shallows.

Cwrt is even smaller than Pennal and is little more than a bridge, a bend in the road and a few cottages. There are a few newer buildings on the riverside of Cwrt along the road to Penmaendyfi.

Away from the river is a turning to Cwm Maethlon or ‘Happy Valley’ which leads all the way to Tywyn, tracing the base of the valley rather than the coast which the main road follows.

It is not a good road to drive along, having narrow and twisting parts but it does pass through spectacular scenery and runs close to Llyn Barfog or ‘Bearded Lake’.

There are legends about the road linking Pennal and Cwrt that speak of a thousand Saints being buried beside it, but its real claim to fame is that it is the only place to overtake for miles around!

For more info visit www.dyfi.com

There many outstanding walks in Snowdonia National Park. From walks up Snowdon, Glyderau* and Carneddau to Rhinogydd and Cader Idris. For a full list and description please follow the link: Walks in Snowdonia National Park

A great video which gives the feel of Cader Idris is by Joshua Paul Gardner Cadair Idris via Cyfrwy Arete